We are thrilled to announce that Slate has been shortlisted in The Guild of Fine Food's Shop of the Year awards 2018. Across four categories, 42 independent retailers have made the list and we are flying the flag for Suffolk!
Stilton is a truly a British cheese, and protected by both its EU "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO) status and registered trademark, this is the way it will stay.
Happy cows are at the heart of life on Whitegate Farm, the home of Katherine and Jason Salisbury and their Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses. On a beautiful sunny day, Clare arrived to visit just as their herd of fifty milking cows bounded out into the fields for the first time since October, immediately getting their heads down to enjoy the fresh spring grass.
Suffolk is a county crammed with food and drink producers, growers and retailers. Each year this thriving industry is celebrated with the "Eat Suffolk Food & Drink Awards".
With its bright yellow wax coating, Norfolk Mardler is one of the most eye-catching cheeses we have in our "wall of cheese" at Slate. On their recent cheese-making trip to Norfolk, Clare and John called into Fielding Cottage to find out more about how it is made.
Clare and John headed to north Norfolk to visit Mrs Temple and her cheeses. Catherine Temple is a well-established East Anglian cheese-maker who makes a range of eight cheeses designed to offer a complete Norfolk cheeseboard.
At Slate we are really keen on perfect companions for cheese and fruit cheeses have got to be one of our favourites. Recently we caught up with Hazel from Fruit Magpie to find out more about how she makes the beautiful jewel-coloured loaves on offer at Slate.
Last month saw Clare head back to the classroom for more cheese training, a slightly daunting prospect with several dozen cheeses on the tasting menu and an exam at the end of the day!
There may not be mountains here in Suffolk to walk or ski but with the new fondue and raclette kits we have available to hire, you can enjoy the all the flavours of Alpine cheese at home.
